Lighted municipal valve key

ABSTRACT

Municipal valve key which includes a valve actuator engaging end; an elongated extension portion capable of extending into a municipal valve box; and a handle portion. The valve actuator engaging portion has a valve opening key end and includes a light for illumination of the valve actuator in the valve box.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/705,622, filed May 6, 2015 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/989,135 filed May 6, 2014. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a municipal valve key used for reaching and manipulating a deeply recessed (buried) municipal valve and method of utilization thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Municipal valves of the like for shutting off residential and commercial main lines, are used in municipalities around the country. Typically, these are buried in a valve box, gate well, cub box or the like below the frost line typically around 6 feet but varies depending on the application under the earth. The box is typically a long tubular member with a cap and the valve which requires shutting off and turning on is at the base of the box or gate well.

In the past because of the limited area and depth, it is somewhat impossible for an operator to see the valve they are trying to engage and the valve key operation is random or touch and go. This provides an imprecise and challenging method of trying to engage and manipulate the valve in order to turn on or off the water supply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Municipal valve key which includes a valve actuator engaging end; an elongated extension portion capable of extending into a municipal valve box; and a handle portion. The valve actuator engaging portion has a valve opening key end and includes a light for illumination of the valve actuator in the valve box.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a side view partially broken away of a municipal valve key of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a bottom view partially broken away of the municipal valve key FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a partial side view of an alternate embodiment type of valve key engagement end head used in a municipal valve key of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a bottom view partially broken away of the municipal valve key FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a municipal valve key of the present invention similar to that of FIG. 1A but having a recessed light;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a municipal valve key of the present invention similar to that of FIG. 2A but having a recessed light;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the municipal valve key of the present invention shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the municipal valve key of the present invention shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative side view showing the municipal valve key of the present invention deployed for use in a Gatewell application;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative side view showing the municipal valve key of the present invention deployed for use in a Valve Box application; and

FIG. 9 is an illustrative side view showing the municipal valve key of the present invention deployed for use in a Curb Box application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring to FIG. 1A to FIG. 6, and in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a municipal valve key 10 which includes a valve actuator engaging portion 12; a metal or polymeric material elongated extension shaft portion 14 and a handle portion 16. The municipal valve key is designed such that the elongated extension shaft portion 14 is capable of extending into a municipal valve box, curb box or gatewell (see FIGS. 8, 9 and 7 respectively).

Municipal valves of the like for shutting off residential and commercial main lines are used in municipalities around the country. Typically, these are buried in a valve box below the frost line typically around 6 feet under the earth. The box is typically a long tubular member with a cap and the valve which requires shutting off and turning on is at the base of the box or gatewell.

The valve actuator engaging portion 12 may be configured in any arrangement which is capable of engaging the valve for opening or closing the valve. As shown in the drawings, typically this will be a slotted member 12 a or it has a box recess 12 b. In either case a light (preferably an LED type light) is at the base 18 of the engagement end 12 and includes a light for illumination of the valve actuator in the valve box. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3-6, the light 20 is recessed in the base 18 of the valve actuator engaging portion. The light 20 shines out such as along arrows 22 such that it illuminates the valve actuator. The light 20 may be electrically connected by way of wires 24 and 26 to a switch 28 and a power source 30 such as a battery or the like. The battery 30 may be located in various locations such as the elongated shaft 14 or in the handle portion 16 as shown in FIG. 3. The switch 24 is a push button switch which requires pressure by the operator during use for turning on the light. A switch collar 29 is provided to protect the switch from damage. The switch automatically disengages when pressure is released in order to turn off the light 20 to preserve battery life. In the alternative, the switch 28 may be a timed switch setting a predetermined time period for the light 20. The time period may also be made adjustable.

In operation, the operator holds the key by the handle 16 and depresses the switch 28. The shaft 14 and valve actuator engaging portion 12 are inserted in the valve box which illuminates the valve at the base of the box and allows the operator to see the position of the valve actuator which allows proper adjustment of the actuation of the key such that the valve can be engaged. The operator rotates the key to actuate the valve in an on or off direction and the key is removed.

A camera 32 may be provided at the engagement end for an even better view of the valve actuator. The camera 32 may be turned on automatically by the switch 28. The camera 32 may also be wireless with broadcast capabilities to a cloud or to an operator's cellphone. The camera 32 may also provide its own source of light, and or may have infrared capabilities to detect heat differentials in the municipal valve to determine flow conditions in the valve and confirm the valve's operational state that the valve is open or closed.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method to turn on or turn off a valve in a municipal valve box, curb box or gate well utilizing a municipal key, said method comprising: providing a valve actuator engaging end; providing an elongated extension portion capable of extending into a municipal valve box, curb box or gate well; connecting the elongated extension portion with said valve actuator engaging end; providing a handle portion; connecting the handle portion with said elongated extension portion on an end of said elongated extension portion generally opposite said valve actuator engaging end; providing said valve actuator engaging end with a valve opening key; providing a light for illumination of the municipal valve; connecting said light on the valve actuator engaging end; recessing said light in the valve actuator engaging end; providing a switch on the handle to turn on said light; electrically connecting said switch to said light; providing an encircling collar on said handle to protect said switch, said collar projecting as high or higher than said switch; inserting said extended portion into a municipal valve box curved box or gate well and depressing said switch in a direction toward said valve actuator engaging end to turn on said light to illuminate the municipal valve; aligning the valve actuator engaging end with said municipal valve; and rotating said handle to turn the municipal valve on or off.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein actuating said switch is accomplished by continually pressurizing said switch.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein actuating said switch is accomplished by timing said switch causing said light to be turned on for a predetermined time period.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein including adjusting said predetermined time period.
 5. The method of claim 1 utilizing an LED type light.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said valve actuator engaging end further utilizes a camera for providing a better view of the valve actuator.
 7. The method of claim 6 of utilizing a wireless camera.
 8. The method of claim 7 further including said camera broadcasting to a cell phone.
 9. The method of claim 6 further including utilizing said switch to automatically turning on said camera.
 10. The method of claim 1 providing a slotted member valve actuator engaging end.
 11. The method of claim 1 providing a boxed recess valve actuator engaging end.
 12. The method of claim 1 powering said light with a battery.
 13. The method of claim 1 providing said camera with its own light source
 14. The method of claim 1 further including locating in said valve actuator engaging end a camera having capabilities for detecting a heat differential for determining flow in the municipal valve.
 15. The method of claim 14 further including providing said camera with its own light source
 16. A method to turn on or turn off a valve in a municipal valve box, curb box or gate well utilizing a municipal key, said method comprising: providing a valve actuator engaging end; providing an elongated extension portion capable of extending into a municipal valve box, curb box or gate well; connecting the elongated extension portion with said valve actuator engaging end; providing a handle portion; connecting the handle portion with said elongated extension portion on an end of said elongated extension portion generally opposite said valve actuator engaging end; providing said valve actuator engaging end with a valve opening key; providing a LED light for illumination of the municipal valve; connecting said light on the valve actuator engaging end; recessing said light in the valve actuator engaging end; providing a switch on the handle to turn on said light; electrically connecting said switch to said light; powering said light with a battery providing an encircling collar on said handle to protect said switch, said collar projecting as high or higher than said switch; inserting said extended portion into a municipal valve box curved box or gate well and depressing said switch in a direction toward said valve actuator engaging end to turn on said light to illuminate the municipal valve; aligning the valve actuator engaging end with said municipal valve; and rotating said handle to turn the municipal valve on or off.
 17. A method to turn on or turn off a valve in a municipal valve box, curb box or gate well utilizing a municipal key, said method comprising: providing a valve actuator engaging end; providing an elongated extension and a metal extension portion capable of extending into a municipal valve box, curb box or gate well; connecting the elongated extension portion with said valve actuator engaging end; providing a handle portion; connecting the handle portion with said elongated extension portion on an end of said elongated extension portion generally opposite said valve actuator engaging end; providing said valve actuator engaging end with a valve opening key; providing a light for illumination of the municipal valve; connecting said light on the valve actuator engaging end; recessing said light in the valve actuator engaging end; providing a switch on the handle to turn on said light; electrically connecting said switch to said light; providing an encircling collar on said handle to protect said switch, said collar projecting as high or higher than said switch; inserting said extended portion into a municipal valve box curved box or gate well and depressing said switch in a direction toward said valve actuator engaging end to turn on said light to illuminate the municipal valve; aligning the valve actuator engaging end with said municipal valve; and rotating said handle to turn the municipal valve on or off. 